Water conservation tips

Bathroom

Toilet flushing consumes nearly half of the daily household consumption using about 5 to 7 gallons per flush.
- Check your toilets for leaks; a leak wastes more than 100 gallons of water per day.
- If you think there is a leak, put a few drops of food coloring in the tank, if the bowl water shows color without flushing there is a leak, and repairs are needed.
- Most new toilets use about 3½ gallons per flush.
- Toilet dams save about two gallons of water per flush.

Bathing usually consumes the second greatest quantity of water.
- Taking a bath uses more water than taking an average shower.
- Long showers waste five to ten gallons of water per day.
- Install water-saving showerheads and don't turn the shower on until you are ready to step in.

Turn the water off while you are shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your face.
Use an electric razor.

When buying a washing machine, look for models with water or energy-saving controls.
Adjust your washing machine level for the size of the load of clothes that you are washing.
When washing dishes by hand, use the drain stopper in the sink and only turn the water back on to rinse the dishes.
Add ¼ to ½ cup of vinegar to your wash water, this will cut down the grease faster and better than hot water alone.
Only run your dishwasher with a full load. Each load uses about 25 gallons of water, so make sure each load counts.
Don't run water when peeling vegetables; rinse them afterward.
Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator to have cool water on hand.
Check faucets and pipes for leaks; many leaks can be repaired with inexpensive washers.
Check your water softener to be sure it is not leaking or cycling more than it should be.

When watering do it in the early morning or the evening when the sun has gone down as the sun evaporates water.
Set your underground sprinklers to not water when it is raining.
Be sure outside faucets are turned off after use.